Akungba mayhem: NANS cautions Mimiko

ReactionS continue to trail last Wednesday crisis among Labour Party (LP) supporters in Akungba Town of Ondo State. Two youths allegedly lost their lives in the fracas that followed a visit to the town by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

The latest comment on the matter came from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D. The studdent body while decrying the incident, called on the governor of the state to be careful with the way he carries out his electioneering campaign.

In a statement signed by Olufemi Metufo, the Director of Publicity for Zone D NANS, the organisation condemned any type of political campaign that will lead youths to attack one another for whatever reason.

The student body said it is more worrisome because report had it that the youngsters were fighting over a large sum of money allegedly doled out to them by Mimiko after his campaign speeches.

“For us at NANS Zone D, it is no longer comfortable to fold our arms while some politicians plan to burn down the region. The incident that happened in Akungba on Wednesday is indeed a sad commentary of the relationship between politicians and youths.

We wonder what mannner of campaign should lead to youth to attack one another with dangerous weapons. When you consider the information that the crisis was over a large sum of money doled out to these youths by the governor after his speech, then it becomes more worrisome.

The incident is a confirmation of our earlier position that the government in Ondo State is not youth friendly. A government that has refused to empower the young ones now give them money to act as political thugs. It is a shame and we want it to stop,” Metufo said.

NANS also told Governor Mimiko to ensure that such incidents do not happen during his campaign again.

“Be that as it may, it is our position that the governor of Ondo should henceforth prevent the killing and maiming of youths in the name of election campaigns. We refuse to sit down and watch lives being wasted by politicians,” the statment said.

Metufo said the association will not shy away from the need to take action against the governor and his party in the event of any other bloody occurence anywhere in the state.

“In the event of any other bloody occurence at Mimiko’s campaign location anywhere in the state, NANS will not hesitate to take necessary and immediate action against the governor and his party,” he said.